At the alumni banquet of 1981, the Class of 1946 started a fund to have a much needed elevator installed in the school. It would carry passengers from the main floor down to the parish hall. This would provide easy access for the elderly and handicapped to many functions. Funds were raised slowly but surely to the last $8000. A benefactor, Grace Hammond Moss, of the Class of 1911, provided the final amount and it was installed in 1984.

In the fall of 1982, grades were incorporated back into the educational system at St. Mary's and the IGE program was gradually phased out. Also during this period, the Home and School Association, a parent-teacher organization was formed. Through the years, parent organizations, with different names, such as the Friends of St. Mary's, have supported our school.

In 1986-1987, eighth grade graduation was discontinued. It is sometimes hard to see certain traditions go, but others start and are as special. About this time an accelerated program for academically advanced students in the grade school was started. It was called Omnibus and was headed up by Mrs. Mickey Heitz. It also involved the parents as tutors after going through a training program.

In 1989, with the threat of the closing of St. Mary's, the SaveOurSchool project was started to raise funds to alleviate the deficit and for long term operating costs. Donations and pledges of $337,000 were gathered from community and alumni sources. The Knights of Columbus, who have supported our school through the years, not only financially, but also with their time and physical labor, willingly helped out again. Bob Clements had gathered information on a money-raising program which is in effect today. It is the Prize-A-Day Calendar and the money collected is used toward the O'Malley Matching Fund.

Other avenues of raising funds were put into action, such as the Phone-A-Thons--one in 1989 and another in 1995. The first Development Dinner at the KC Hall started to raise money for the O'Malley Matching Funds and this has become an annual event.